Recipients of 2026 Prizes and Scholarships
Robert Baker Scholarship
Named in honor of the former dean of the School of Sacred Music at Union and then first director of the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, this scholarship is designated for an organ student completing the first year.
JoEllen West
Hugh Porter Scholarship
This scholarship is named for a former Director of the Union Seminary School of Sacred Music, a distinguished organ recitalist, church organist, and a highly respected teacher.
Eden Bartholomew
Louise E. MacLean Scholarship
An ordained minister of the UCC, Mrs. MacLean was a graduate of Union Seminary who admired the work of the School of Sacred Music at that institution. The scholarship is “to be used for the benefit of worthy students.”
Grace Currie, Reid Simmons
Mary Baker Scholarship in Organ Accompanying
Established in 2005 to honor the memory of Mary Baker, wife of Dr. Robert Baker, founding director of the Yale Institute of Sacred Music. Awarded each year to a returning organ student who has demonstrated in the opinion of the faculty the ability and collaborative spirit necessary for a skilled organ accompanist.
Jacob Gruss
The Dominique de Menil Scholarship
A scholarship designated for an MAR candidate concentrating in the visual arts.
Kamala GhaneaBassiri
Edwin Stanley Seder Scholarship
Awarded in honor of the noted organist and choir director at People’s Church in Chicago.
Xenya Currie, Brian DeStefano
Hugh Porter Prize
Awarded in honor of a former Director of the Union Seminary School of Sacred Music, and distinguished organ recitalist and organist.
Phoebe Rendon-Nissenbaum, Leah Smith
Edwin Stanley Seder Prize
Awarded by the faculty in honor of the great Chicago organist and choir director.
Nicholas Stigall, Hope Chun
Aidan Kavanagh Achievement Prize
Awarded to a student in recognition of distinguished intellectual achievement at Yale University. Aidan Kavanagh was Professor of Liturgics at the Yale Divinity School and the Institute of Sacred Music from 1974 until his retirement in 1994. During that time, he was Acting Director of the Institute on two occasions.
Jordan Baker
Richard Paul DeLong Prize
Awarded to the student or students whose work best exemplifies the dedication and the use of those special gifts required of practicing church musicians
Katrina Liao
Liturgical Studies Prize
Given to the Institute student or students submitting the best paper utilizing historical method in studying a liturgical subject.
Catherine Campbell, Stephanie Roston
Hugh Giles Prize
Continues a tradition started in 1964 at the School of Sacred Music at Union Seminary in honor of this distinguished graduate. It is awarded to the student or students who has most clearly demonstrated interest, perseverance, and achievement during the first year of study.
Joshua Swanson, Anthony Washington
John W. Cook Prize in Religion and the Arts
Awarded to a graduating student whose work has excelled at the intersections of religion and the arts.
Stephanie Roston, Alex Walton
Margot Fassler Prize in the Performance of Sacred Music
Awarded to an Institute student pursuing a music degree who has shown excellence in the performance of sacred music.
Izzy Barbato, Matthew Dexter
Director’s Prize
Awarded to the Institute of Sacred Music student or students who, in the opinion of the faculty, give the best Colloquium presentation.
Jordan Baker & Scottie Rogers (team), Abigail Schweizer & Joseph O’Brien (team), Kevin Vondrak (solo)
Students’ Choice for Best Colloquium Presentation
Awarded to the Institute student or students who, in the opinion of the students, gave the best Colloquium presentation.
Nicholas Stigall & Stephanie Roston (team), Kevin Vondrak (solo)
ISM Student Community Award
Awarded to a student by students who, beyond academics, worked to build positive community within the ISM.
Sully Hart
Faculty Prize
Awarded to those students whose work, in the opinion of the Faculty, is of a quality that best exemplifies the purpose and mission of the Institute.
Sully Hart, Augustine Segger
